[Pages S3090-S3092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ISSUES FACING THE MIDDLE CLASS

Mr. REID. Mr. President, at the end of this month, Republicans will
have been in charge of the Senate for almost half a year. After all of
this time, what have they done to address issues facing the middle
class? Zero.
Let's take a quick look at what the Republican leadership has
achieved this year. The Keystone Pipeline legislation took a month, a
bill that was nothing more than a favor for billionaires and special
interests. It would allow foreign oil to be imported into the United
States to be shipped to foreign countries. It has spent almost another
month on the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security--the
shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security--during a time when
ISIS is raging and all the other problems around the world, and they--
the Republicans--want to shut down the Federal Government as it relates
to Homeland Security.
We spent 3 weeks on a senseless delay over funding for victims of
human trafficking, over an abortion issue that had nothing to do with
human trafficking. I would respond to my friend, the majority leader,
we would have passed this last Congress, except that they objected to
it--short memory, I think.
Now, here we are spending the last week considering trade legislation
that has done nothing--nothing, not a single thing--to help working
middle-class Americans. In fact, it causes huge job losses. As Einstein
said, if you keep doing the same thing over and over again and you
expect a different result, that is the definition of insanity.
We can look at these trade bills over the years. Every one of them,
without exception, causes job losses to American workers, millions of
job losses. Yet they are going to try the same thing again and hope for
a different result. That is insanity.
If the Senate is not actively advocating for the well-being of
middle-class Americans, we are wasting our time. When the Republicans
took over the Senate, the majority leader promised to make the needs of
Americans a priority. Here is what he said last November: ``Under a new
majority, our focus would be on passing legislation that improves the
economy, that makes it easier for Americans to find jobs, and that
helps restore Americans' confidence in their country and their
government.''
Why then have we not moved toward legislation that makes it easier
for Americans to find jobs or reforms that help us restore Americans'
confidence in their government?
A few months after November--actually the beginning of this year--the
majority leader reiterated a call for commonsense legislation that puts
the middle class first. He said: ``Let's pass legislation that focuses
on jobs and the real concerns of the middle class.''
But, again, what have the Senate Republicans done? They have stopped
any effort made to help the middle class, whether it is minimum wage,
equal pay for men and women, student debt, and on and on with things
that would help the middle class. They have been ignored. We should be
focusing on making it easier for Americans to find jobs, addressing the
needs of the middle class and restoring Americans' faith in our
government.
It is not enough for the majority leader to mouth these words that he
supports jobs. His agenda must reflect it, as well. But it does not. It
does not do anything to help job creation. If we want to create jobs,
why don't we do something with infrastructure, the surface
transportation bill?
To his credit, the Presiding Officer has an idea regarding how that
should be paid for. I have worked with him and, whether his idea and my
idea are perfect, at least it is an effort to figure out some way to do
something about jobs. Jobs--we have to do something about surface
transportation. Some 50 percent of America's roads are in disrepair,
and 64,000 bridges are structurally deficient. Our railroad systems are
outdated, and we know that recently from the headlines we have seen
with that devastating accident in Pennsylvania. Instead of working with
Democrats to provide adequate, long-term investment into our country's
surface transportation, Republicans are advocating for short-term fix
after short-term fix.

Repairing our Nation's roads and bridges through long-term
investments could provide thousands of jobs for Americans. If the
Republican leader truly has the interests of the middle class at heart,
he should be leading the charge for these investments, but he is
leading the charge against them.
Today, the Senate will resume consideration of the trade legislation.
Because of Senate Democrats, that trade legislation includes vital
programs that help America's workers retrain and find new employment if
they lose their jobs because of foreign trade. And

[[Page S3091]]

they are going to lose jobs. Even though a majority of the Senators
don't support this trade legislation, we have tried hard to improve it,
and this trade adjustment assistance is one way we can try to improve
it.
What was the Republican's first amendment to the trade bill? It was
an amendment to strike a program known as trade adjustment assistance,
which I just talked about, from the bill. This program helps those who
lose their jobs because of trade. And they will lose their jobs.
As we talk about opening foreign markets to American products, surely
we should do something so that American companies have the tools to
compete internationally.
The Export-Import Bank is weeks away from expiring. If it expires,
financing for billions of dollars of U.S. exports will disappear and
thousands of American jobs will be in jeopardy. How much does it cost?
Nothing. Zero. It is an ideological mindset that the Republicans have--
they don't like government programs.
We are losing internationally. We are losing trade. I don't think
anyone can call the Boeing Company a leftwing liberal group, as the
Republican leader refers to people who are complaining about what is
going on here. Boeing thinks something should be done with the Export-
Import Bank. Why? Because they can compete with Airbus and all of these
other companies that build airplanes. If we don't have the Bank, they
cannot compete.
Mr. President, I could pick any State of the 50--I was given here
this morning the State of Virginia because the State of Virginia was
mentioned in some of the remarks by the Republican leader. I have page
after page--millions and millions of dollars that benefit businesses in
Virginia. It is the same all over the country--in Nevada, Kentucky,
everyplace.
We have talked about trade that won't work. Let's talk about the
Export-Import Bank, which does work. I so admire and appreciate the
persistence and advocacy of the Senator from Washington, Ms. Cantwell.
But for her, this issue would be lost. It would be gone with all the
other stuff that goes into the trash can because of the Republicans.
The Republican leader has said over and over again that he is opposed
to the Bank. Well, that is too bad. The American people certainly
support it and American businesses support it. Last year, this vital
program sustained 165,000 jobs at no cost to the taxpayers. If we don't
reauthorize this program, American businesses will be at a competitive
disadvantage.
While the majority leader talks about restoring faith in government,
he is standing in the way of reforming the National Security Agency's
illegal spying program. I did not make up the words ``illegal spying
program''; the Second Circuit Court said it. It is an illegal program.
These are just a few areas where renewed focus would create jobs and
produce positive outcomes for middle-class Americans. The Republican
leader should revisit his vision, which up to this point has only been
words. There has been no action. The direction this Congress has taken
so far has only focused on the desires of a few at the expense of many.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the numbers I referred to
from the State of Virginia be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:

VIRGINIA COMPANIES FINANCED BY EX-IM BANK FY07-FY15
Source: Public Information; Ex-Im Bank Web Site
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total insured
shipments, guaranteed
Exporter City District Product credit or disbursed Total exp value
loan amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abb Inc................................. South Boston............... 05 Electrical Equipment $97,428 $175,030
Manufacturing and Sales.
Aeroprobe Corporation................... Christiansburg............. 09 Professional, Scientific $24,960 $24,960
and Technical Services.
Alainn Llc.............................. Arlington.................. 08 Administrative, Management $285,008 $285,008
and Support Services.
Alfa Laval Thermal Inc.................. Richmond................... 03 Fabricated Metal Product $327,015 $397,159
Manufacturing and Sales.
All American Business Consulting Llc.... Chantilly.................. 10 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $93,760 $93,760
of Non Capital Equipment.
Alliant Techsystems Operations, Inc..... Radford.................... 02 Fabricated Metal Product $128,303 $128,303
Manufacturing and Sales.
Alpha Coal Sales Co., Llc............... Bristol.................... 09 Ore & Mineral Mining and $212,393,085 $212,393,085
Sales.
Altum, Incorporated..................... Reston..................... 11 Professional, Scientific $854,933 $854,933
and Technical Services.
American Biosystems, Inc................ Roanoke.................... 06 Chemical Manufacturing and $1,734,990 $1,734,990
Sales.
American Hardwood Industries, Llc....... Waynesboro................. 06 Wood Product Manufacturing $18,000,000 $60,000,000
and Sales.
American Hofmann Corporation............ Lynchburg.................. 06 Machinery Manufacturing $44,728 $44,728
and Sales.
Amscoglobal Llc......................... Vienna..................... 11 Machinery Manufacturing $192,236 $192,236
and Sales.
Aon International Space Brokers......... Rosslyn.................... 08 Insurance................. $20,592,935 $24,169,936
Aon International Space Brokers......... Rosslyn.................... 08 Insurance................. $20,339,686 $23,310,434
Aquamatic Inc........................... Roanoke.................... 09 Electrical Equipment $66,129 $66,129
Manufacturing and Sales.
Augusta Lumber, Llc..................... Waynesboro................. 06 Wood Product Manufacturing $278,849 $278,849
and Sales.
Bakery Holdings Llc..................... Richmond................... 03 Machinery Manufacturing $3,600,000 $14,000,000
and Sales.
Banner Aerospace Holding Company, Inc... McLean..................... 11 Transportation Equipment $16,200,000 $72,000,000
Manufacturing and Sales.
Banner Aerospace, Inc................... Ashburn.................... 10 Transportation Equipment $13,500,000 $40,000,000
Manufacturing and Sales.
Beach Mold & Tool Virginia, Inc......... Emporia.................... 04 Machinery Manufacturing $65,225 $65,225
and Sales.
Birdsong Peanuts........................ Suffolk.................... 04 Crop Production and Sales. $669,955 $669,955
Blue Ridge Mountain Resources, Llc...... Charlottesville............ 05 Wood Product Manufacturing $128,960 $128,960
and Sales.
Blue Ridge Numerics Inc................. Charlottesville............ 05 Professional, Scientific $450,000 $4,250,000
and Technical Services.
Bone Doctors' Bbq, Llc.................. Charlottesville............ 05 Food Manufacturing and $45,158 $45,158
Sales.
Bontex, Inc............................. Buena Vista................ 06 Chemical Manufacturing and $6,748,307 $6,748,307
Sales.
Boss Lumber Corporation................. Galax...................... 09 Wood Product Manufacturing $72,936 $72,936
and Sales.
Brg Machinery Consulting................ Charlottesville............ 05 Administrative, Management $59,219 $98,625
and Support Services.
Bristol Compressors International, Inc.. Bristol.................... 09 Machinery Manufacturing $162,000,000 $250,000,000
and Sales.
Cableform Incorporated.................. Troy....................... 07 Electrical Equipment $7,091,630 $7,091,630
Manufacturing and Sales.
Cadence, Inc............................ Staunton................... 06 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $5,553,034 $5,553,034
of Non Capital Equipment.
Campofrio Food Group America Inc........ South Chesterfield......... 04 Food Manufacturing and $4,713,286 $4,713,286
Sales.
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co, Llc....... Purcellville............... 18 Beverage and Tobacco $35,741 $35,741
Product Mfg and Sales.
Commercial Lynks Inc.................... Alexandria................. 08 Food Manufacturing and $50,357,430 $83,947,430
Sales.
Delta Star, Inc......................... Lynchburg.................. 06 Electrical Equipment $106,705 $2,022,564
Manufacturing and Sales.
Dexter W Estes.......................... Lyndhurst.................. 06 Machinery Manufacturing $10,062 $10,062
and Sales.
Dupont Teijin Films..................... Chester.................... 04 Plastics and Rubber $245,813 $245,813
Products Mfg and Sales.
Dupont Teijin Films..................... Hopewell................... 04 Plastics and Rubber $373,931 $373,931
Products Mfg and Sales.
Dupont Teijin Films..................... Hopewell................... 04 Plastics and Rubber $297,603 $297,603
Products Mfg and Sales.
Eagle Paper International, Inc.......... Virginia Beach............. 02 Paper Manufacturing and $43,116,377 $43,116,377
Sales.
Earthwalk Communications Inc............ Manassas................... 10 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $1,192 $1,192
of Non Capital Equipment.
East Coast Impex, Llc................... Manassas................... 01 Crop Production and Sales. $1,129,413 $1,129,413
Ekpac China Inc......................... Arlington.................. 08 Other Service Providers... $18,179,979 $21,388,210
Erath Veneer Corporation of Virginia.... Rocky Mount................ 05 Wood Product Manufacturing $10,443,221 $10,443,221
and Sales.
F R Drake Company....................... Waynesboro................. 06 Machinery Manufacturing $303,025 $356,500
and Sales.
Federal Pacific Transformer Company..... Bristol.................... 09 Electrical Equipment $55,248 $55,248
Manufacturing and Sales.
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc............... Newport News............... 02 Fabricated Metal Product $4,269,751 $5,441,608
Manufacturing and Sales.
Fitzgerald Lumber & Log Co., Inc........ Buena Vista................ 06 Wood Product Manufacturing $11,464,695 $11,464,695
and Sales.
Fleshner & Kim Llp...................... Herndon.................... 11 Judicial Systems and $900,000 $3,000,000
Public Safety
Institutions.
Flowserve Corporation................... Chesapeake................. 04 Machinery Manufacturing $5,733,476 $7,267,029
and Sales.
Foley Material Handling Co., Inc........ Ashland.................... 07 Machinery Manufacturing $2,160,000 $6,000,000
and Sales.
Freightcar America...................... Roanoke.................... 06 Machinery Manufacturing $2,842,665 $3,326,300
and Sales.
Gala Industries, Inc.................... Eagle Rock................. 06 Machinery Manufacturing $238,145 $279,810
and Sales.
Gatekeeper, Inc......................... Sterling................... 10 Electrical Equipment $2,464,016 $2,464,016
Manufacturing and Sales.
GeoScienceWorld......................... Arlington.................. 08 Professional, Scientific $27,797 $49,118
and Technical Services.
Gigamedia Access Corporation............ Herndon.................... 11 Internet Content & Service $810,000 $1,000,000
Providers.
Global Food Connection, Inc............. Danville................... 05 Food Manufacturing and $16,685,410 $16,685,410
Sales.
Good Harbor Consulting, L.L.C........... Arlington.................. 08 Administrative, Management $3,500,000 $3,500,000
and Support Services.
Group Logic Inc......................... Arlington.................. 08 Professional, Scientific $4,928,867 $4,928,867
and Technical Services.
H Y International Corporation........... Great Falls................ 10 Wood Product Manufacturing $12,224,288 $12,224,288
and Sales.
H2gen Innovations, Inc.................. Alexandria................. 08 Electrical Equipment $3,600,000 $12,000,000
Manufacturing and Sales.

[[Page S3092]]

Harris Corporation...................... Lynchburg.................. 06 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $3,050,149 $3,588,411
of Non Capital Equipment.
Honeywell International Inc............. Hopewell................... 04 Machinery Manufacturing $44,542,810 $44,542,810
and Sales.
Independent Project Analysis............ Ashburn.................... 10 Professional, Scientific $1,179,672 $2,053,027
and Technical Services.
Integrated Global Services, Inc......... Midlothian................. 07 Fabricated Metal Product $2,250,000 $7,000,000
Manufacturing and Sales.
International Intranco Inc.............. McLean..................... 11 Food Manufacturing and $58,058 $58,058
Sales.
International Veneer Company, Inc....... South Hill................. 05 Wood Product Manufacturing $35,204 $35,204
and Sales.
Interstate Resources, Inc............... Arlington.................. 08 Paper Manufacturing and $47,450,946 $47,450,946
Sales.
Intertape Polymer Corp.................. Danville................... 05 Textile Mills, Products $219,378 $219,378
and Sales.
K2m, Inc................................ Leesburg................... 10 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $45,000,000 $68,000,000
of Non Capital Equipment.
Longwall Associates, Inc................ Chilhowie.................. 09 Machinery Manufacturing $4,649,120 $5,240,000
and Sales.
M.I.C. Industries, Inc.................. Reston..................... 11 Building Construction..... $4,485,411 $4,485,411
Maersk Line, Limited.................... Norfolk.................... 03 Transportation Services... $4,208,610 $5,665,164
Meadwestvaco Corporation................ Richmond................... 03 Paper Manufacturing and $10,906,229 $10,906,229
Sales.
Meadwestvaco Corporation................ Glen Allen................. 07 Paper Manufacturing and $25,531,495 $25,531,495
Sales.
Microxact, Inc.......................... Blacksburg................. 09 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $282,699 $282,699
of Non Capital Equipment.
Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America, Chesapeake................. 04 Electrical Equipment $70,559,724 $70,559,724
Inc. Manufacturing and Sales.
Monoflo International, Inc.............. Winchester................. 10 Plastics and Rubber $192,596 $192,596
Products Mfg and Sales.
Moog Inc................................ Blacksburg................. 26 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $64,749 $74,448
of Non Capital Equipment.
Mountain Lumber Co, Inc................. Ruckersville............... 05 Wood Product Manufacturing $108,000 $108,000
and Sales.
Mpri, Inc............................... Alexandria................. 08 Electrical Equipment $5,687,287 $5,687,287
Manufacturing and Sales.
Musser Lumber Company, Inc.............. Rural Retreat.............. 09 Wood Product Manufacturing $500,052 $500,052
and Sales.
New River Energetics.................... Radford.................... 09 Chemical Manufacturing and $464,493 $464,493
Sales.
Ngk-Locke Polymer Insulators............ Virginia Beach............. 02 Nonmetallic Mineral $353,142 $404,420
Product Mfg and Sales.
Ofic North America Inc.................. Fredericksburg............. 07 Petroleum and Coal $7,092,241 $7,092,241
Products Mfg and Sales.
Ontario Hardwood Company, Inc........... Keysville.................. 05 Wood Product Manufacturing $978,099 $978,099
and Sales.
Optical Cable Corporation............... Roanoke.................... 09 Electrical Equipment $45,125,589 $45,125,589
Manufacturing and Sales.
Orbital Sciences Corporation............ Dulles..................... 10 Transportation Equipment $198,098,585 $221,843,173
Manufacturing and Sales.
Pipeline Research Council International. Falls Church............... 11 Professional, Scientific $115,189 $215,694
and Technical Services.
Potomac Supply Corporation.............. Kinsale.................... 01 Wood Product Manufacturing $4,549,757 $4,549,757
and Sales.
Potomac Supply Llc...................... Kinsale.................... 01 Wood Product Manufacturing $2,279,798 $2,279,798
and Sales.
Qmt Associates, Inc..................... Manassas Park.............. 10 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $774,329 $774,329
of Non Capital Equipment.
QubicaAMF Worldwide..................... Mechanicsville............. 07 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $1,036,184 $1,093,397
of Non Capital Equipment.
Questel-Orbit, Incorporated............. Alexandria................. 08 Internet Content & Service $3,482 $6,121
Providers.
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.......... Richmond................... 07 Plastics and Rubber $11,134,393 $11,134,393
Products Mfg and Sales.
Rock Tools Inc.......................... Bristol.................... 08 Not Identified............ $1,950,000 $1,950,000
Rowe Fine Furniture Inc................. Elliston................... 09 Furniture Manufacturing $6,637,470 $6,637,470
and Sales.
Rubatex International Llc............... Bedford.................... 05 Plastics and Rubber $97,118 $97,118
Products Mfg and Sales.
Sena Mining Products Llc................ Alexandria................. 08 Administrative, Management $347,452 $347,452
and Support Services.
Sherr & Jiang Pllc...................... Herndon.................... 11 Professional, Scientific $30,324 $30,324
and Technical Services.
Sherr & Vaughn, Pllc.................... Herndon.................... 11 Professional, Scientific $4,301,139 $4,301,139
and Technical Services.
Simplimatic Engineering Holdings, Llc... Evington................... 05 Machinery Manufacturing $7,496,797 $7,496,797
and Sales.
Spectra Quest, Inc...................... Richmond................... 07 Machinery Manufacturing $24,204 $42,308
and Sales.
Strongwell Corporation.................. Bristol.................... 09 Plastics and Rubber $2,156 $2,733
Products Mfg and Sales.
Sutron Corporation...................... Sterling................... 10 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $738,000 $750,000
of Non Capital Equipment.
Team Askin Technologies, Inc............ Fairfax.................... 10 Professional, Scientific $31,749,708 $90,227,708
and Technical Services.
Telarix, Inc............................ Vienna..................... 11 Internet Content & Service $39,150,000 $144,767,956
Providers.
Test Dynamics Inc....................... Warrenton.................. 05 Electrical Equipment $68,369 $68,369
Manufacturing and Sales.
Tetra Tech, Inc......................... Fairfax.................... 11 Administrative, Management $18,069,977 $25,648,305
and Support Services.
Thomas & Betts Corporation.............. Richmond................... 03 Electrical Equipment $473,944 $473,944
Manufacturing and Sales.
Transprint Usa, Inc..................... Harrisonburg............... 06 Administrative, Management $14,812,918 $14,812,918
and Support Services.
Tread Corporation....................... Roanoke.................... 06 Fabricated Metal Product $38,302,375 $93,588,729
Manufacturing and Sales.
Trex Company, Inc....................... Winchester................. 10 Plastics and Rubber $39,143 $39,143
Products Mfg and Sales.
Trinity Scientific, L.P................. Sandston................... 03 Other Misc Mfg and Sales $269,567 $269,567
of Non Capital Equipment.
Turkey Knob Growers, Inc................ Timberville................ 06 Crop Production and Sales. $851,672 $851,672
Turman-mercer Sawmills, Inc............. Hillsville................. 09 Specialty Trade $2,297,171 $2,297,171
Contractors.
Universal Dynamics, Inc................. Woodbridge................. 11 Machinery Manufacturing $3,201 $3,201
and Sales.
Us Cosmeceutechs, Llc................... North Chesterfield......... 04 Chemical Manufacturing and $4,905,000 $7,000,000
Sales.
Usa Hardwoods Llc....................... Winchester................. 10 Administrative, Management $172,076 $172,076
and Support Services.
Virginia Transformer Corp............... Roanoke.................... 06 Electrical Equipment $1,810,428 $2,566,663
Manufacturing and Sales.
Vt Idirect, Inc......................... Herndon.................... 11 Telecommunication Services $1,552,092 $1,552,092
Williams & Lu Llc....................... Alexandria................. 08 Professional, Scientific $70,851 $70,851
and Technical Services.
Zamma Corporation....................... Orange..................... 07 Furniture Manufacturing $3,185,044 $3,185,044
and Sales.
Zenith Aviation, Inc.................... Fredericksburg............. 01 Transportation Equipment $209,024 $209,024
Manufacturing and Sales.
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Mr. REID. Will the Chair be kind enough to tell us what the business
is today in the Senate?

____________________